Stretching over 5 distinguished South Vancouver neighbourhoods and over 8km, the Cambie Street Corridor Signage Program is a customized graphics system that combines wayfinding and neighbourhood identity graphics.

Designed for the new bike path network on the Corridor, the program is a blend of orientation graphics and neighbourhood identity.

Looking from the cyclist’s viewpoint, various types of graphics and markings were explored and tested. The kit-of-parts considered size, repetition, movement, and the neighbourhood’s context and history.

A visual system and narrative was developed that includes customized typography, a colour palette that ensures legibility on asphalt, and a customized suite of graphics – all to be applied with oversized stencils. The program included: Primary Entrance Signs, Neighbourhood Entrance Signs, Orientation Signs, Neighbourhood Identity Graphics, and Safety and Transoration markings.

A comprehensive graphic and implementation standards was also developed that specifies the exact placement of the neighbourhood identity graphics, and identifies locations where graphics are to be clustered. Repeated patterns and colours enables the re-use of stencils as a way to efficiently implement the design program.

Solution

Brand Guidelines

Brand Innovation

Environmental and Signage

Graphic Systems

Logomark Design

Synopsis

The vision for the Cambie Corridor public realm is to celebrate and reinforce Cambie Street’s unique character, its existing, expansive Heritage Boulevard, define distinct neighbourhoods along its length, and enhance east-west connections to open spaces and parks.

Dennis Boyle was selected to design a customized program that would combine wayfinding and neighbourhood identity graphics. By introducing functional and aesthetic purpose to the design, a new visual narrative for wayfinding and Cambie Street’s South Vancouver neighbourhoods would be experienced by the cyclist, the pedestrian, and the public.

After an extensive and contextual study of the communication challenge, and a conceptual exploration of graphic mark-making, a visual system and kit-of-parts emerged for the Corridor. The system included a customized treatment of typography, a colour system, a suite of sign types, and neighbourhood identity graphics. The new program is a ‘moving narrative’ experience for the cyclist as they travel up and down the 8km Corridor.

Taking careful consideration for how the overall system would be implemented by the City, a comprehensive graphic and implementation standards was also prepared.

Testimonial

Jessie and I wanted to let you know that everyone was very enthusiastic and excited about the Cambie Street Corridor Identity that you’ve designed for the City. Several Councillors commented specifically on their support for it, and the public has also been exceptionally supportive. Thank you again for your work on the Cambie Street Corridor project.

Testimonial

The work produced for the Cambie Street identity fully captured our expectations and was a creative response to a complex project. Our team thoroughly enjoyed working with Dennis and the work produced was high quality, on time and on budget. The final product was integrated into the Cambie Corridor Public Realm Plan which was unanimously approved by City Council in April 2018. Community members and Councilors specifically commended the creativity and the aspect of fun that the identity work brought to the project. Our staff team would highly recommend Dennis for future projects and to others looking for a well-rounded graphic skill set.